172 of Total 218 To Be Manufactured in Hungary
Hungary has become the first NATO and EU member to order Rheinmetall’s LYNX infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), the company announced on 10 September.
Valued at over €2 billion, the order encompasses 218 LYNX, nine BUFFALO armoured recovery vehicles (ARV) plus simulators, training, initial spare parts supplies and maintenance support. The first 46 LYNX and all nine ARVs will be built in Germany, to be delivered by the beginning of 2023. The remaining 172 IFVs will be built in a Hungarian production facility to be financed by a local company, in accordance with the agreement to establish a joint venture company for LYNX production, signed by the Hungarian government and Rheinmetall last month. The German company will hold a majority stake in the joint venture and will thereby help create an important focus – a centre of excellence – for the Hungarian defence industry.
“The LYNX’s market breakthrough is a major success for us. And the fact that we were able to convince Hungary – an important EU and NATO partner – to choose this innovative vehicle makes this success all the greater. In making this forward-looking procurement decision, Hungary’s top political and military officials have demonstrated real leadership. Not only does the move place Hungary at the forefront of European army technology, it reaffirms the Hungarian government’s commitment to being a reliable, more militarily effective partner of its NATO allies, a policy which it is pursuing with systematic energy,” observed Rheinmetall Chairman, Armin Papperger.
For Hungary, the order represents a significant step in its efforts to introduce a new generation of military equipment, with key systems that meet the latest NATO standards. The LYNX is currently competing in similar procurement programmes in the Czech Republic and Australia. It is anticipated that the majority of the Rheinmetall LANCE turrets for the first phase will be produced and supplied from the Rheinmetall Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence in Brisbane, Australia.
